wilafur -- I like Terried Sake House enough, but it is a little dreary inside. I so do wish they would clean up a bit, but I don't care for the pub decor much. The food is good, but I think the Mushas are yet better!

We did not like Haru Ulala at all; I posted on this awhile ago. We just went to Ita-Cho on Beverly this past weekend and found it to be pretty fine and very healthy. The shishito peppers were amazing -- for my tastes. Everything else we had was quite delicious: lotus root with sesame, eggplant, cut-up squid steak, some seafood shu-mai, and I can't remember what else. I would like to return to try some different items, and several more plates of the shishito peppers!

Ita-Cho7311 Beverly BoulevardLos Angeles #323.938-9009

We arrived when they opened, about 6:00-ish, and by the time we left nearing 7:00-ish, they were quite crowded.

I second Ita-Cho (I’ve been eating at this restaurant since it was on Highland). The service is fantastic and the food is consistently excellent. Call ahead for a reservation to make sure you can order off the specials page. I often do not arrive at Ita-Cho until after 9PM and, if it’s been busy, all the super special good stuff is gone.

Go, if you must, to Terried Sake House, but I would recommend that you instead try SaSaYa Japanese restaurant (which is next or two doors east).

Sasaya - I was there once and it just wasn't on my list for a return visit.

Wakasan - I agree with everything that was said above this post; the prix fixe is something around $30 as I recall (from about a year ago, so it may have increased since) and it is a lot of courses. You will be very satisfied. However, there were a few of the dishes that were too "stew-y" and wet for my tastes, so I would still prefer the Mushas or Ita-Cho.

I have yet to try Izayoi, but I have read good things about this one which is in Little Tokyo.

Izayoi is truly fantastic. If you go, please consider ordering the duck and eggplant dish. I dream about it. Their fish quality is superb and the dishes are creative and tasty. The lunch bento is a dreamy bargain, but go early. Closed on Sundays.

We ate there probably six-nine months ago, and I don't remember exactly why. My system is to remember the ones that I want to return to and to forget the ones that I don't love. I think it was more of a "compared to what" reaction. I really like both Mushas.

HOWEVER, now that you caught me on this and really made me focus on it again, I think I will have to give it another try -- do you think? Perhaps I was too harsh... Please do let me know, SecretAsianMan, if you think it is really, really worth a return visit AND what should I not miss?